Cyberpunk 2077 NYExchange (2024) - dread-red-queen
ORIGINALLY WRITTEN: December 2024
NOTES: A gift for Tumblr user dread-red-queen as part of anaisonfire / cp77nyexchange 's New Year's Exchange event!
Chilling air was the first sign of the new season to come. Then it was the subtle browning of the greenery scattered about the vast city streets; leaves curling but not yet falling. As time passed, they did; floated to the concrete below and found themselves either squashed by passersby, or lifted by the drag winds of vehicles to be lifted and floated to who knew where. Advertisements began to feature all the tell-tale shifts: subtle changes in color scheme, annual jingles that surfaced a wide breadth of emotions from those (un)fortunate enough to hear, and eventually steep–albeit manufactured–markdowns. Those Kiroshis you’ve been working your ass off tooth and nail to afford? Well, they’re the same price now, but allegedly they were almost triple just last month! Surely the blow to your wallet would be worth it now, right?
To some, it was. To others, such as Raven and Goro, not so much.
The thing about Raven and Goro was that they knew the insider tricks; what was and wasn’t a scam tickling that humane nostalgia for interconnectedness. That didn’t mean neither of them would spoil one another with gifts; quite the contrary. It simply meant the gifts shared between the two Arasaka retirees were more personable. There was weight to the decisions–a measurement of pro and con as they determined what would really be worth the symbolism of their love for one another. And quickly as these exchanges came, a new ritual emerged.
It started, quite frankly, on Christmas day.
The reduced visits to Arasaka HQ, though they have been declining over the years regardless since the events surrounding V, the Relic, and Saburo’s death and “reincarnation” (Goro still could not shake the chills the truth of the Relic program had brought him, if he were honest). Phone calls ceasing earlier in the day. Goro spent much more time home and found himself just as occupied as he would have been elsewhere–shifting through fabrics and making notes wherever he could find the spare space. Raven knew it all too well at this point: it was time for the New Year preparations.
Trips to the markets were more calculated–not that they weren’t prior, but there was an emphasis on meal planning much further in advance than usual. Lists were created, and the t’s were crossed whilst i’s were dotted. The pair would find themselves shopping in more mom-and-pop shops, purchasing intricately handcrafted decorations and chatting about which accents would compliment their home’s theme. Would the vibrant jade-tones compliment the warmth? Should they opt for darker or brighter reds in contrast? Or what about shimmering silvers to shake things up? Regardless of the pick, it was followed by days’ worth of cleaning. Every nook and cranny of the decadent interior was polished to perfection as a way to pay respects to the upcoming New Year; to the home’s inhabitants, too. Removing the dust and debris that’d accumulated throughout the year would welcome in a renowned energy–show that nothing could hold them back as their future lay ahead. Again, much like the gift giving, this was not something solely done through this singular act. The dedication that the married couple put into their relationship was astronomical. The care they put into attending to one another’s needs was wholesome in its own right. Every low was met with a tender grace; a gentle understanding and furthering encouragement to power through it.
On the 28th–a mere three days after Christmas–Goro and Raven found themselves spending most of the day in the kitchen. Decadent meals consisting of kuromame, kazunoko, and kobumaki were planned and prepared, portioned out and set to last because, as Goro put it, "The New Year is meant to be peaceful". Tradition was much more intricate than that, of course, but the intent behind it was the same. Whilst Goro saw it practically–hard work would pay off and give them time to simply enjoy the transitory period with one another–many others saw it more figuratively. To these individuals, the reasoning was equally simple: Toshigami should not be disturbed by the loud clanking and crashing of kitchen cutlery. It would be a rude way to welcome the deity–or any guest, really–into the home. Plus, many traditional shops would close for similar reasons. This angle hardly mattered in the grand scheme of Night City’s operation, so if they happened to not cook enough, the pair could always simply shop around as usual. Still, it was a habit; a personal comfort to know things are well attended.
And they were well attended.
Between the cleaning sprees and cooking courses, Goro dedicated himself to Raven. Downtime was spent spread across various activities: Napping lazily in the living room, warming up beneath the sheets as the winter chill seeped through the heated home, engaging in hobbies and finding themselves speculating on the future that lay ahead. . .
It was peaceful as the evening, even amidst the thunderous fireworks that illuminated the advert-littered sky. Four souls stood on the balcony: Goro, Raven, Oda, and V; with the latter pair being enthusiastically invited over to partake in the celebrations while they were still in the city. For once, the neon lighting in the sky didn’t feel so oppressive; even as its targeted glow bled through the organic flashes of sparkles and smoke. Idle chatter was only just heard over the rhythmic booming, the chilled air filled with warm laughter and ecstatic conversation. Multi-colored lenses found themselves slowly drawn to the distance, watching as a flickering timer finally replaced the scrolling testimonials about why NiCola(™) was the drink of the New Year. A new sense of anticipation filled the air.
10…
Gentle fingers caressed another’s.
9…
The subtle brushing of shoulders.
8…
Sneaky glances of acknowledgment.
7…
Affirmation.
6…
Gentle caresses.
5…
One foot before the other.
4…
Arms tenderly wrapping around the other’s torso.
3…
Longing gazes.
2…
“I love you, Goro.”
1…
“I love you too, Raven. More than words could ever describe.” And as the symphony of celebrations began again, the two locked lips and embraced one another. Even if the world around them collapsed into flames, the start to their New Year was more than enough to fill their souls with joy.